Stockholm Town Council requests speed reduction on Route 11

WINTHROP  Stockholm town officials are urging the state to reduce the speed limit on Route 11 at the approaches to the Route 420 intersection at Connellys Corner.

Jerry Manning, a Winthrop resident who lives on Route 11 at Route 420, told Town Council members that there are two to three accidents at the intersection each year.

Weve had one already this year and a number of close calls. Theres been at least one fatality there in recent years, Mr. Manning said.

He said he felt a speed zone near the intersection would benefit traffic safety. I would like to see a reduced-speed zone to get people to slow up on that corner. Its a hazard, Mr. Manning said.

He said he had done some research before coming to the Town Council. Once you break over the hill, you have six seconds before you get to that corner. Last week, we had a tractor-trailer with three piggybacks on the road every day. Someone pulled out in front of him one day, and he had to hit his air horn and slam on his brakes to avoid an accident, Mr. Manning said.

He said the dangerous condition can be compounded by weather. There are certain times when the sun is right in your eyes, he said.

Town Councilman Fernando Rufa said a sign detailing distances to neighboring communities creates a blind spot at the intersection, and he suggested it should be moved.

Stockholm Highway Superintendent Jeffrey P. Russell said the town will follow its protocol for speed-limit reductions. We will send the request to the county Highway Department, and they will pass it on to the state, he said.

Town Councilman Robert J. McCuin, a longtime volunteer firefighter, said he is a strong supporter of the move to lower the speed limit at the intersection. I hope something can be done. Approaching from the west is the real danger spot, Mr. McCuin said.

But he acknowledged he wasnt overly optimistic that state officials would support the boards unanimous request for a speed zone. There have been many, many accidents on Route 420 at the Mahoney Road. They refused our request for a speed reduction there, but they did put up a couple new signs, Mr. McCuin said.

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